MLB Player News

Rogers was reassigned to the Tigers' alternate training site Monday.

Both Rogers and Eric Haase were sent to the alternate site in Toledo, which clears the way for Austin Romine and Grayson Greiner to break summer camp on the active roster. Rogers could have a role on the team's three-player taxi squad for road games, as one spot needs to be used on a catcher, but the 25-year-old is otherwise on the outside looking in at the moment.

General manager Mike Elias said Monday that Rutschman could get called up this season but only "if we're heading toward a possible playoff berth," Joe Trezza of MLB.com reports.

Anything is possible, especially in a 60-game season, but it certainly seems as though Rutschman's chances of debuting this year are quite low given that the Orioles aren't expected to be anywhere close to competitive. That's hardly a surprise, as even a player of his considerable talent needs more than 37 professional games before making his big-league debut. The young catcher's presence in the team's player pool will give him the best possible development environment this season, but it's highly unlikely to lead to anything more than that.

The Tigers optioned Haase to their alternative training site Monday.

The transaction officially ends Haase's bid for a spot on the active 30-man Opening Day roster, and the backstop could be at risk of losing his spot on the 40-man roster as well if the Tigers add other players before the start of the season. Detroit appears set to proceed with Austin Romine and Grayson Greiner as its top two catchers.

Mesoraco accepted a position in June as a volunteer assistant for the University of Pittsburgh baseball team, Kendall Rogers of D1Baseball.com reports.

Since refusing to accept a minor-league assignment last March while he was a member of the Mets organization, Mesoraco hasn't explored playing opportunities within or outside of affiliated ball. With the 32-year-old now getting into coaching, it appears safe to conclude that his playing days are over. A 2014 All-Star, Mesoraco spent parts of eight seasons in the big leagues with the Reds and Mets, slashing a collective .232/.309/.406 with 58 home runs in 1,574 plate appearances.

Barnes (hand) underwent an X-ray Sunday that came back negative, Alanna Rizzo of Spectrum SportsNet LA reports.

Barnes left Sunday's exhibition game after being hit by a pitch on his left hand, but he appears to have avoided a major injury. He'll be held out Monday, but the team hopes to allow him to return Tuesday. Barring any setbacks, Barnes should be ready for Opening Day.

Barnes left Sunday's exhibition game with an apparent left hand injury, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Barnes was hit by a pitch on his left hand in the bottom of the fourth inning, and he was replaced behind the dish in the fifth frame as a result. The exact nature and severity of the injury are unclear. If he's healthy, Barnes should serve as the Dodgers' backup catcher to begin the season, though comments made by manager Dave Roberts this spring suggest that Barnes and Will Smith could split time.

Thole has been assigned to the Yankees' alternate training site.

Given Thole's place at the bottom of New York's catching depth chart, it comes as no surprise that he won't be part of the big-league roster to begin the season. He'll instead provide a veteran presence as part of the Yankees' satellite camp.

Haase could potentially lose his spot on the 40-man roster as the Tigers add players before the start of the season, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Haase was thought to have the inside track on being the backup catcher during spring training, but Woodbery notes that Grayson Greiner will fill that role. That could put Haase's 40-man spot in jeopardy as the Tigers might need spots for the likes of Jordy Mercer, Jorge Bonifacio and a handful of pitchers. If Haase does get squeezed out of a regular roster spot, he could still end up on the team's three-player taxi squad for road trips as MLB rules stipulate that at least one taxi squad player is a catcher.

Caratini is an option to see regular time at first base early in the season with Anthony Rizzo (back) uncertain for the start of the year, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Caratini has primarily worked as a catcher for the Cubs, though he did appear in 23 games at first last year. The 26-year-old has been tabbed as the personal catcher for Yu Darvish, so he'll still get time behind the plate, but the team may need to use him more at first if Rizzo can't go in the early going. Caratini has looked pretty good at the plate when he's been able to play regularly, so fantasy managers should take note if the playing time is there.

Maile underwent surgery to address his fractured right index finger Friday and will be sidelined 10-12 weeks.

Maile was poised to operate as Pittsburgh's primary backup catcher this season, but the lengthy recovery timeline means he's unlikely to see the field during the shortened season. John Ryan Murphy should step into the backup job behind starter Jacob Stallings.